RG 
121 
M85S 
cop.  1 


MOSHER 

SCHEMA  TOG  RAM 
NEW  METHOD  OF  GRAPHICALLY 
RECORDING  POSTURE  AND  CHANGES 
IN  THE  CONTOUR  OF  THE  BODY 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 
THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANGELES 


Sj> 


[Reprinted  from  SCHOOL  AND  SOCIETY,  Vol.  1,  No. 
18,  Pages  642-645,  May  1, 1915] 


THE  SCHEMATOGRAM— A  NEW  METHOD  OF 
GRAPHICALLY  RECORDING  POSTURE 
AND  CHANGES  IN  THE  CON- 
TOURS OF  THE  BODY 

No  one  making  the  physical  examinations 
for  admission  of  women  to  a  college  or  uni- 
versity can  fail  to  feel  the  need  of  some  rapid 
method  of  making  a  graphic  record  of  the  pos- 
ture and  other  conditions  of  the  body. 

The  uneven  shoulders  and  hips,  the  droop- 
ing heads,  the  winged  scapulae,  the  flat  chests, 
and  the  exaggerated  supra-  and  infra-clavic- 
ular hollows  need  correction.  The  woman  too 
often  is  unconscious  of  these  and  other  de- 
partures from  the  normal,  the  only  direction 
of  her  attention  being  the  nagging  of  her 
family  about  standing  up  straight  and  putting 
shoulders  back.  Too  often,  if  she  has  given 
any  regard  to  these  reiterated  home  directions, 
it  is  to  bring  about  other  postural  defects 
equally  undesirable.  When  the  girl  sees  how 
these  existing  defects  detract  from  her  good 
appearance,  she  is  sufficiently  interested  so  that 
with  her  cooperation  and  the  aid  of  her 
gymnasium  work,  the  correction  is  only  a 
matter  of  time.  Thus  not  only  many  of  the 
unlovely  figures  of  middle  age  are  avoided,  but 
a  menace  to  her  good  health  at  a  later  period 
is  also  removed. 

There  is  no  question,  however,  that  we  are 
not  making  physical  training  of  as  much  help 
as  it  should  be  made  to  the  individual  'woman. 
We  have  taken  over  the  methods  in  use  for 
men  and  applied  them  with  such  limitations  as 
the  traditional  handicaps  of  sex  may  have  sug- 
gested, without  inquiring  very  extensively  into 
the  real  effects  of  what  we  are  doing.  To  ac- 
complish any  reform  we  must  have  more  exact 


[083 


methods  of  work.  The  anthropometric  meth- 
ods used  for  many  years  are  gradually  falling 
into  disuse.  These,  certainly,  laying  their 
main  emphasis  on  the  size  of  muscles,  have 
little  relation  to  the  personal  hygiene  of  the 
individual  woman.  A  functional  index  which 
shall  be  a  rapid  and  accurate  measure  of 
the  effect  of  the  physical  training  work  on  the 
particular  woman  is  needed.  Posture,  which  is 
so  closely  associated  with  the  perfect  function- 
ing of  the  body,  should  be  one  of  the  condi- 
tions on  which  this  index  is  based. 

The  instruments  making  use  of  the  panto- 
graph principle  have  met  this  need  only  in 
small  part.  For  the  study  of  posture  we  must 
have  a  graphic  method  which  will  record  the 
whole  figure;  the  record  must  be  made  rapidly 
and  be  inexpensive  enough  to  use  in  every 
examination.  The  instruments  which  I  have 
seen,  making  use  of  the  pantograph  principle, 
do  not  meet  all  of  these  requirements.  Photog- 
raphy is  objectionable  for  two  reasons:  the 
possible  identification  of  the  individual  woman 
by  any  one  into  whose  hands  the  record  may 
fall  makes  it  permissible  only  in  very  rare 
cases;  the  cost  is  prohibitive  for  any  extensive 
use. 

The  schematograph  here  described  is  a  step 
towards  putting  question  of  posture  on  a  more 
accurate  working  basis. 

The  schematograph  (from  trj^/ia,  tchema, 
form,  shape,  ya/a^w,  grapho,  I  write)  is  an  in- 
strument devised  by  the  writer  and  Professor 
E.  P.  Lesley,  of  the  mechanical  engineering 
department  of  the  Leland  Stanford  Junior 
University.  The  one  in  use  in  Roble  Gym- 
nasium was  constructed  in  the  university 
mechanician  shop  under  the  supervision  of 
Professor  Lesley. 

This  apparatus  consists  of  a  reflecting 
camera,  Fig.  C.  Instead  of  the  ground  glass 
of  the  ordinary  camera  there  is  placed  a  clear 
glass.  Upon  this  clear  glass  is  laid  a  piece  of 


3 


thin  tracing  paper  or  cloth.  The  image  is 
thrown  upon  this  paper  and  outlined  or  fully 
drawn  with  a  pencil  or  pen :  the  schematogram 
(ypdfjLfM,  gramma,  thing  written). 

The  top  of  the  schematograph  camera  carry- 
ing the  clear  glass  plate  is  movable.  Two 
dowel  pins  at  diagonally  opposite  corners  of 
the  camera  are  arranged  to  fit  into  suitably 
located  holes  in  the  movable  top.  The  change 
in  position  of  the  top  of  the  schematograph 
makes  it  possible  to  record  the  image  on  any 
portion  of  the  paper  without  moving  the  paper 
on  the  glass.  It  is  a  simple  device  which 
works  rapidly  and  satisfactorily.  Although 
the  schematograph  top  is  made  with  a  pos- 
sibility of  movement  in  four  directions,  only 
the  lateral  movements  have  been  used  in  the 
posture  work. 

The  center  of  the  figure,  or  that  part  of  the 
figure  of  which  it  is  desired  to  make  a  schema- 
togram, is  placed  directly  in  front  of  the  lens. 
The  image  is,  therefore,  always  projected  to 
the  center  of  the  camera,  thus  giving  the 
maximum  of  light  and  clearness  of  definition. 
In  order  to  have  a  bright  image  that  can  be 
easily  outlined,  it  is  necessary  to  use  a  com- 


Tracing  Paper-.         /Id/usfcrble  Frame 


SCHEMATOGRAPH 
LONGITUDINAL  SECTION 


FIG.  C. 


paratively  large  lens.     One  with  a  four-inch 
aperture  has  been  found  suitable. 


In  use  the  camera  will  be  placed  in  a  dark 
room  or  screened  with  dark  cloth.  The  sub- 
ject for  study  (posture,  spinal  curvature,  etc.) 
is  placed  in  a  strong  light  before  a  dark  screen 
(Fig.  A)  or  behind  a  light  screen  (Fig.  5). 
In  the  former  case  the  picture  upon  the  tracing 
paper  is  that  of  the  subject;  in  the  latter  case 
the  picture  is  of  the  shadow  of  the  subject. 


Schematogrvrph-*. 
' 


Piaffe 


Black 
Screen -\  )-> 


B 


Schematograrph-j 


ThinLight 
Screen-* 


FIGS.  A  AND  B. 

The  strong  light  may  be  a  1,000-watt 
nitrogen-filled  Tungsten  lamp;  "the  photo- 
light"  with  a  clear  lamp  could  be  used.  The 
work  with  the  figure  placed  before  the  black 
screen  has  been  so  satisfactory  that  it  has  not 
seemed  necessary  to  install  the  expensive  light 
for  the  shadow  work. 

The  screen  which  makes  the  background  is 
seven  feet  high  and  four  feet  broad.  There  are 
two  movable  panels  nearly  the  full  size  of  the 
screen.  These  button  into  the  frame  work. 
The  removable  white  panel  has  only  been  used 


as  a  reflecting  surface  to  increase  the  light 
on  a  dark  day.  On  the  black  panel  are 
stretched  two  white  wires  at  right  angles  to 
each  other,  thus  dividing  the  black  screen  into 
four  equal  sections.  These  lines  should  al- 
ways be  drawn  on  the  tracing  paper  before  the 
subject  is  placed  for  the  making  of  her  schema- 
togram.  This  does  away  with  loss  of  time  in 
trying  to  place  the  tracing  paper  with  very 
great  exactness  on  the  schematograph.  The 
lines  make  it  possible  to  place  the  schema- 
togram  over  a  sheet  of  cross-section  paper  to 
study  the  variations  in  the  two  sides  of  the 
body,  to  superimpose  a  second  schematogram 
over  the  first  and  see  the  changes  with  the 
minimum  of  error.  After  considerable  experi- 
mentation, Keuffel  and  Esser  Colonna  Tracing 
paper  195  T,  which  comes  in  rolls  36  inches 
wide,  was  found  most  satisfactory.  This  was 
cut  to  order  into  sheets  8J  X  H  inches  to  fit 
the  top  of  the  schematograph.  The  paper  is 
held  in  place  by  a  spring  clip  at  each  end. 
/  It  is  possible  to  record  on  a  single  sheet  of 
paper  a  schematogram  of  the  front,  the  back, 
and  a  profile  of  the  figure.  The  figure  in  the 
schematogram  is  about  eight  inches  in  height 
as  I  have  usually  made  it.  The  image,  of  course, 
is  reversed  in  the  schematogram.  The  use  of 
this  particular  paper  enables  one  to  turn  the 
paper  over  and  have  the  image  equally  clear 
on  the  opposite  side,  thus  correcting  this  error. 
The  key  number  and  any  other  data  should 
of  course  be  put  on  the  back  of  the  sheet  as  it 
is  placed  on  the  schematograph,  to  ensure  the 
using  of  the  schematogram  with  this  reversal 
of  the  image  corrected. 

The  floor  in  the  examining  room  has  been 
marked  with  brass  nails  at  distances  of  two 
feet  apart,  so  that  the  screen  may  be  accu- 
rately placed  and  the  distance  recorded  without 
loss  of  time.  The  instruments  may  be  used 
with  the  screen  placed  from  six  feet  from  the 
lens  to  twenty  or  more.  In  practise  I  have 


6 


found  ten  or  twelve  feet  most  satisfactory,  as 
a  rule. 

When  another  schematogram  is  made  at  a 
later  date  the  lines  on  the  black  panel  will 
ensure  the  correct  relation  of  the  two  records. 
If  it  is  desired,  the  schematogram  may  be 
traced  on  a  piece  of  cross-section  paper,  the 
second  record  being  superimposed  on  the  first, 
a  tracing  in  another  color  of  ink  showing  the 
relation  between  the  first  and  second  record. 
To  make  these  tracings  from  the  original 
schematograms,  a  box,  containing  one  or  more 
electric  lights  and  a  reflector  with  a  plain 
glass  top  and  spring  clips  similar  to  those 
used  in  the  schematograph  top,  is  desirable. 

The  placing  of  the  schematograph  in  a 
closet,  open  at  the  top  for  ventilation,  with  an 
opening  in  the  wall  just  large  enough  for  the 
lens,  has  a  distinct  advantage.  The  examiner 
using  the  instrument  is  in  a  separate  room 
and  thus  the  personal  reserve  of  the  woman 
is  respected. 

By  this  graphic  record  the  exact  condition 
of  any  individual  student  can  be  indicated  to 
the  instructor  who  is  to  carry  on  the  practical 
work,  without  subjecting  the  student  to  an 
additional  examination  by  this  instructor. 

The  definition  of  the  image  is  so  clear  that 
not  only  the  outline  of  the  figure  may  be 
made,  but  the  positions  of  the  breasts,  the 
prominence  of  the  collar  bones,  the  supra-  and 
intraclavicular  hollows  may  be  made.  In  a 
very  thin  woman  even  the  costal  angle  or  the 
line  of  the  spine  has  been  clear 'enough  to 
record  without  resort  to  markings  of  the  skin 
to  show  the  position. 

By  making  a  series  of  schematograms  at 
intervals  we  may,  at  minimum  cost  of  less  than 
two  cents  each  and  an  expenditure  of  time  of 
only  from  one  and  one  half  to  two  and  one 
half  minutes,  exclusive  of  dressing  and  un- 
dressing, record  the  effect  of  our  physical-train- 
ing work  on  the  individual  woman.  In  addi- 


tion  to  this,  by  the  study  of  the  schematograms 
of  groups  of  students  doing  different  forms  of 
exercise,  may  we  not  hope  to  arrive  at  some 
estimate  of  the  comparative  value  of  these 
different  kinds  of  physical  training? 

The  immediate  use  of  the  schematogram 
supplemented  by  the  use  of  a  mirror  impresses 
upon  the  student  her  departure  from  a  correct 
posture.  The  demonstration  of  what  should 
be  done  to  correct  this,  the  relating  of  the 
habit  or  habits  which  are  bringing  about  these 
conditions,  induce  an  interest  and  cooperation 
on  the  part  of  the  student  not  otherwise  readily 
obtained. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  talk  about  spinal 
curvature,  which  is  of  course  present,  but  of 
the  habit  of  carrying  the  books  on  one  arm, 
or  the  habit  of  standing  on  one  foot,  which 
is  bringing  about  this  detraction  from  the 
otherwise  good  appearance  of  the  girl.  We  can 
thus  avoid  the  undue  emphasis  on  any  patho- 
logical condition  which  unduly  alarms  and 
depresses  the  young  woman  by  filling  her  mind 
with  the  idea  that  she  is  in  any  way  defective. 
Spinal  curvature  connotes  to  her  the  need  of 
surgical  interference,  while  carrying  her  books 
on  the  other  arm,  standing  on  both  feet  sug- 
gests something  that  she  herself  may  help  to 
correct.  She  is  left  in  the  latter  case  hopeful 
and  ready  to  cooperate  with  the  instructor. 

This  instrument  may  be  used  not  only  by 
the  medical  examiners  for  admission  to  col- 
leges and  gymnasiums,  but  a  farther  possible 
field  of  usefulness  for  it  may  be  found  in  the 
offices  of  certain  physicians  and  surgeons. 
Whenever  a  graphic  record  of  the  contours  and 
other  conditions  of  the  body  will  be  of  serv- 
ice, the  schematograph  provides  a  rapid,  inex- 
pensive and  accurate  means  of  making  such 
a  record.  It  requires  no  special  knowledge  of 
drawing,  although  facility  in  the  use  of  pen 
or  pencil  will  make  the  work  more  rapid. 
Accuracy  in  recording  the  image  thrown  on 


8 


the  tracing  paper  and  a  knowledge  of  what  it 
is  desired  to  record,  are  all  that  is  needed. 

The  ideal  physical  training  for  women 
based  on  a  clear  perception  of  its  being  labo- 
ratory work  in  personal  hygiene  must  have  its 
success  or  failure  measured  by  its  effect  on  the 
individual  woman.  The  schematograph  here 
described  promises  to  be  of  some  help  in  estab- 
lishing a  more  accurate  relation  between  the 
work  in  physical  training  and  its  effect  on 
the  individual. 

CLELIA  DUEL  MOSHEB 

STANFORD  UNIVERSITY, 
February  15,  1915 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


10 

URL 


MAR 


Form  L9-Series  4939 


PLEASf  DO   NOT    REMOVE 
THIS   BOOK  CARDS 


AU1BRARY0/C 


CTi 


ro 


i: 


University  Research  Library 


